[Hartwood] Fighters attendance/ event functionality rant.

Mon Jan 14 17:09:15 PST 2013

Hello all, 

I have not yet had a chance to meet most of you since my wife and I have not attended an event since we moved here 4 years ago.  We would like to attend more in the near future.  We live up in Campbell River, and if we weren't bringing our 3 smalls with us (the smallest is pretty much a guarantee to come) we would have plenty of room in our van to offer rides.   Our most likely babysitter is in Courtenay so we could theoretically pick up anyone there and south (possibly room for fighting equipment if not a camping event). 

Matt/Owain &  Megan

Sent from Samsung Mobile

-------- Original message --------
From: Aline De Bruges <aline_debruges at hotmail.com> 
Date: 01-14-2013  4:22 PM  (GMT-08:00) 
To: list Hartwood <hartwood at tirrigh.org> 
Subject: Re: [Hartwood] Fighters attendance/ event functionality rant. 

Muirgen, et al...

I was hoping that the 'lack of transit' could be significantly mediated by hosting a social (or whatever) at my home (in South Nanaimo, right on the border with Cedar, around the corner from Southgate).  I don't think we have enough level ground for a real heavy fighter's practice, nor for archery, but once we have nicer weather I am sure we could accommodate some dance... maybe a little rapier... music/ performance... games... stitchery... heck - even a movie night?

I am both a somewhat experienced Scadian (since 2000 in False Isle), but also somewhat a 'newbie' in Hartwood, having been out of the loop for close to 5 years.  I am also somewhat of a seamstress (medieval to Elizabethan garments, banners, encampment accoutrements, etc.), although admittedly, far better at teaching others than getting my own projects done; I devised the border of, and did some illumination and calligraphy for, a page of the Domesday Booke, but don't feel myself very adept at those skills; I learned and began doing various forms of weaving, but haven't really stuck with most of them; I did a little rapier (as did my son), but my knees couldn't take it any more; I did middle-eastern dance for 5 years or so, but am very out of practice; I used to sing, but illness caused me to lose my singing (and heraldry) voice; I was deputy book herald in False Isle for two years, but am completely out of touch with all that, now; etce.....

All this is to say: I know how it feels to not know how to do things, or to quite fit in, and I hope(d) that by opening my (pretty darn spacious) home I might create a place to welcome everyone from all around this huge Shire, but especially to give those down south, here, a chance to get together socially with the rest of the shire.  (Oh yes - I was Chatelaine for a year in False Isle, too, and although organizing 'events' was not high in my repertoire (other than managing Ithra sites), welcoming people, especially newbies, is something I feel I do pretty well, so I hope I will have the chance to do so... soon?  Oh - and also - I tend to over-post details when I'm planning something!  And anyway - all my socials would(will) be here at our place...)

...Southern Aline  :-)  (Aliyyah/ Athelyna... Lynne)

From: draislai at hotmail.com
To: hartwood at tirrigh.org
Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:04:59 -0800
Subject: Re: [Hartwood] Fighters attendance/ event functionality rant.

re: nanaimo fighters attendance.  

just for information, and i do not intend to step on toes here, but one of the main reasons fighters don't attend is a lack of transit.  I realize this is a problem everyone must face, but it is easier to snug a person with a small bag into a carpool situation than a person with a full armor bag, pole-arms, and other such paraphernalia.  There is also the other issue of lack of communication, which happens a lot, not just pertaining to fighters, this is everywhere.  the multiple message list having a what, then later on a where, then a whole bunch of e-mails later with a when makes it really difficult to co-ordinate.  i realize all the planning has to be done, and this is good, but a final message, with a DIFFERENT heading, even capitalized and made bold, with the the what when where why how of it all would be very appreciated, and this is just for everybody's sake.
As far as participation without armor and the like, many of our fighters have not gotten into the other aspects of the sca.  Sometimes, this is due to the cliques that have formed in our own group.  I don't know about anyone else, but i certainly notice it when i walk into a local event.  the question becomes where do i sit? and the answer, at least for me, is hide in the back, and hope no-one notices.  There used to be people in the shires that helped bridge the gap between newbies, fighters, and the well seasoned, and those individuals seemed to add a life to the whole event.  most of us know who they are, but for reasons of their own, they can't make it, and there doesn't seem to be anyone stepping into their places.  There are people that try to bridge the gap, but if they are found lacking in one way or another, they tend to get shut down, and they quit.  This has created a rift dynamic.  
'Newbies' drift, and cling to whomever makes them feel somewhat comfortable, 'fighters' stick to themselves, and tend not to branch out, and the 'well seasoned' stick in their highly selective group, and essentially give the air of 'grading' those around them, or simply ignoring everyone else.  If we are lucky, there is someone in attendance that makes the whole event into a game, makes it fun, and mingles with all the sects, and possibly, even getting those sects to talk to each other.  Those are the events I know I love, and remember.  

We are extremely fortunate in our whole shire, for the people within hartwood have such a diverse variety of skills, experiences, and knowledge.  I honestly doubt that there are many other groups in the world that can boast the diversity of things we can make and do locally.  But we do need to work together, and stop putting groups within our group down.  I admit, some pull more weight than others, and without those individuals, I know this wouldn't work.  I'm just missing the inspiration, the goals, the 'well seasoned' taking on 'apprentices', and sometimes, a good proverbial kick is an order.
Any input on rectifying this matter, or arguments, feel free to interject.
Well, there it is, the rant from the black hole,
Muirgen

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